,b>Candidate forums scheduled for April 12 and April 13
The Hoboken Quality of Life Coalition and People for Open Government (POG) will conduct two forums for ward council candidates in early April at Our Lady of Grace School Hall, Candidates in Wards 1, 3 and 4 will be featured on Tuesday, April 12, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The forum for candidates in Wards 2, 5 and 6 will be on Wednesday, April 13, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Both events will be held at Our Lady of Grace School Hall, 400 Willow Ave.
Bob Bowdon will moderate the forums. Written questions will be solicited from the audience.
Hudson School presents ‘The Fantasticks’ beginning March 18
The Fantasticks, a comedy musical, will be presented at The Hudson School Performance Space, 601 Park Ave., on March 18 and March 19 at 8 p.m., and on March 20 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.
For tickets and reservations, contact the director, Anne-Marie Marcazzo at 201-659-8335, ext. 317.
Building partially collapses at Fourth and Jackson
A vacant building near 4th and Jackson streets in Hoboken partially collapsed on Tuesday morning from what appears to be previous fire structural damage, according to Fire Chief Richard Blohm.
Police, fire, and ambulance officials were on the scene of 417 Jackson St. after a call came in at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday reporting the partial collapse. The rear corner of the vacant four-story building collapsed, leaving heavy structural damage.
Blohm stated that the building, as well as a neighboring vacant building, will need to be torn down, and the owners, who have been notified, are being asked to report to the construction office on Wednesday morning. Blohm said firefighters conducted a thermal heat scan and did not find anyone in the building.
Budget workshops to begin this week
After a municipal budget is introduced, the City Council holds budget workshops to amend the budget, as well as a public hearing before it is voted on by the council for approval.
The first hearing will take place on March 14 at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
Michael Russo, 3rd Ward Councilman, announced the list of departments for the March 14 budget workshop last week. Four department directors – Community development, Environmental Services, Health and Human Services, and Law – will make presentations on Monday. Russo called for a 15 percent cut in the budget last week.
Police dogs would be protected under new Assembly bill
Legislation advanced on Wednesday in the state Assembly which would impose a mandatory five-year jail term on anyone convicted of killing a police dog.
Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos (D – Hoboken) joined Assemblymen Paul Moriarty (D – Turnersville) and Charles Mainor (D – Jersey City) in advancing the legislation, which was introduced in December after “Schultz,” an on-duty Gloucester Township police dog, was killed by a robbery suspect.
Under “Schultz’s Law”, criminals found guilty of killing a police dog or a dog engaged in a search and rescue operation would receive a mandatory minimum five-year prison term, with no eligibility for parole, and a $15,000 fine, according to a release.
“Dogs that assist law enforcement are loyal allies in the fight against crime,” Ramos said in a release. “This dog, like many others, was simply doing his job serving and protecting the public. They deserve legitimate protection against abuse, and those who abuse them need to face severe punishment.”
The bill was unanimously released from the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, and will now be moved to the full Assembly.
HoLa hosting ‘Fiesta de Libros’ on March 27
The Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) will host a Fiesta de Libros event on Sunday, March 27th from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., at 123 Jefferson St.
The Fiesta will include a book fair with Spanish and English Scholastic titles for elementary children, special guest readers from the Hoboken community, guest authors and illustrators, crafts, a bake sale, bilingual summer camps, and more. Questions should be directed to the HoLa Parent Teacher Organization at pto@holahoboken.org.
Rotary Club Art Auction scheduled for March 24
The Rotary Club will present their 8th Annual Art and Memorabilia Auction on March 24 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Elks Club, 1005 Washington St.
Samplings from some of the finest restaurants in Hoboken will be available, as guests are invited to bid on works of art and memorabilia. Memorabilia includes sports, movies and many other collectibles. The money raised from the event we go toward providing college scholarships to Hoboken High School seniors, sending students from Hoboken to a leadership building conference, as well as contribute toward many other activities for the students of Hoboken.
Tickets are $20, and can be purchased at HobokenRotary.org.
Saint Dominic Academy to hold 14th Annual Spring Thaw Race
Saint Dominic Academy will be holding its 14th Annual Spring Thaw Race on Saturday, March 19, in Liberty State Park at the Railroad Terminal. Proceeds from the run help to benefit all of SDA’s sports programs. The 1 Mile run/walk will begin at 9:30 a.m., the 5K run on a USATF certified course will take place at 10 a.m., and a short Kiddie run will follow the 5K. The entry fee is $15 for the 1 Mile run/walk, $20 for the 5K, and $5 for the Kiddie Run. For more information, please contact Saint Dominic Academy at 201-434-5938 and speak to Athletic Director, John Nagel at ext. 50 or Advancement Director, Kate Lillis Magnus at ext. 42.
Past winners of the SDA Annual Spring Thaw Race include: Dr. Chris Bennett, coach of CBA, who ran a four-minute mile with the NIKE Farm Team and who also ran at CBA and North Carolina, Carolina Liane Sullivan Rae ’90, Hudson County Hall of Famer and standout at Portland State University, highly acclaimed distance runner, Joseph McVeigh, and current SDA Track Coach Patrick McMonagle, who ran at Saint Peter’s College.